Jerrzi Honey Bean vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Mamba both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean is a linear switch known for its light and linear action, providing a silent typing experience that is perfect for shared environments like offices. On the other hand, the Mamba is another linear switch inspired by Kobe Bryant, offering a smooth typing sensation and a rich auditory experience. While the Honey Bean is described as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Feathery', the Mamba is categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Mild', with a 'Thocky' and 'Polished' feel. Each switch has its own appeal depending on the user's preferences and needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Jerrzi Honey Bean and the Durock Mamba both offer unique sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Honey Bean's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound, while the Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provides a brighter and pleasant sound. This contrast in sound profiles makes each switch stand out in its own way, catering to different preferences in typing experiences. However, both switches aim to provide a satisfying auditory feedback for users.
In terms of the bottom housings, both the Honey Bean and the Mamba utilize POM material, resulting in a similar sound profile that is deep and relatively muted. This shared housing material ensures a consistent feel and sound when pressing down on the switches. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, contributing to the overall typing experience. Despite their differences in top housing materials, the switches' bottom housings offer a familiar tactile sensation for users.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall typing experience, it becomes apparent that the differences in materials contribute to unique characteristics for each switch. The Honey Bean's POM top and bottom housings create a cohesive sound profile that is deep and muted, while the Mamba's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE provides a brighter and more pleasant sound. These contrasting qualities showcase the versatility of housing materials in influencing the sound and feel of mechanical switches, allowing for a personalized typing experience based on individual preferences. Whether it's the deeper sound of the Honey Bean or the brighter sound of the Mamba, users can choose a switch that best suits their typing style.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, it is evident that there are differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey Bean has an actuation force of 42 grams, making it lighter than the Mamba, whose actuation force is unknown. Conversely, the Mamba has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating a heavier typing experience compared to the Honey Bean, which has an unknown bottom out force. The lighter actuation force of the Honey Bean may appeal to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience for extended periods, while the heavier bottom out force of the Mamba could be favored by users seeking a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for either a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular for their faster response times, particularly among gamers. The Honey Bean offers slightly more depth with its 3.7 mm travel distance compared to the 3.5 mm of the Mamba. However, the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, so users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference for a slightly shorter or longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Honey Bean has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey Bean for $3.59.
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is known for its muted operation, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. This makes it ideal for environments where noise needs to be minimized, such as in office settings. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile with a hint of thockiness, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. Overall, both switches provide a pleasant auditory experience, but the Honey Bean excels in providing a silent typing experience, while the Mamba offers a more pronounced sound for those who enjoy a bit of auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch is characterized by its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in a feathery typing sensation that reduces finger fatigue and enhances the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a more gentle and refined feel with smooth key travel. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, but the Honey Bean focuses on light and effortless typing, while the Mamba emphasizes a polished and refined feel.
Overall, the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Honey Bean excels in providing a silent and easy-to-press typing experience, perfect for those who value a quiet and light touch. On the other hand, the Mamba offers a more pronounced and polished feel, ideal for those who enjoy a bit of thockiness and smooth key travel. Depending on your personal preference for sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, giving you similar results but with distinct characteristics that suit different typing styles.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Jerrzi Honey Bean linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, your choice should ultimately depend on your preference for typing experience. If you value a light and silent typing experience ideal for shared environments, then the Honey Bean switches would be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium actuation force with a gliding sensation and a rich auditory experience, the Mamba switches would be more suitable for you. Consider the noise level, feel, and bottom out force that best align with your typing needs to make the right choice between these two excellent linear switch options.
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